Tape-applying machine



Jan. 8, 1946. s. M. NEWMAN v 2,392,609

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15. Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 8, 1946. s.- M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sfrofhcar MNzwman. aw M 3 Nu -m Jan. 8, 1946.

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Jan. 8, 1946. s. M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 29, 1942 Jan. 8, 1946. s. M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 FT h i um Jan. 8, 1946. I s; NEWMAN 2,392,609

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 i5 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jan. 8, 1946. s. M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 fifrof/zer/f/Ve wman, 3mm

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s. M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE.

Filed Jan. 29. 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 gwvem tow Jan. 8, 1946. s, M, NEWMAN 2,392,609

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 1o Jan. 8, 1946. s.: M. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 1s Sheets-Sheet 11 MN a. WWW. fi 2% Jan. 8, 1946. s. NEWMAN TAPE APPLYING. MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 8, 1946. s. M. NEWMAN v TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 v 12; 20 30b /22 a r 1 12 E! Afi L- x 8, 19 6.- 1 s. M. NEWMAN 2,392,609

TAPE APPLYING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 15 Sh eet s-She et 15 Patented Jan. 8, 1946 TAPE-APPLYING momma Stro ther M.-Newman, Staunton, Va., assignor of one-half to John A. Clem, III, Staunton, Va.

Application January 29, 1942, Serial No. 428,698 23 Claims. (oi. 93-1) My invention relates to a machine for effectively and in simple manner applying ripping tape to wrapper material for cigarette and other broadly similar packages. This application is companion to my co-pending application for Letters Patent of the United States for Carton wrapper, Serial Number 413,988, flied October 7,

An object of my invention, therefore, is to produce a sturdy, reliable and compact machine for accurately cutting oil, positioning, and positively applying tearing ribbon at predetermined and accurately spaced points along the length of a roll or sheet of wrapper material of Cellophane or broadly similar paper-like composition.

Another object is to produce such a machine which is comparatively simple, is of small compass, occupies a minimum of floor space, and which is characterized by freedom from mechanical difficulties even after extended operation thereof.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter, in connection with the following description.

Accordingly, my invention consists of the several parts and features of construction, and in the relation of each of the same to one'or more of the others, all as described in the following specification, taken in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated one embodiment of my invention which I prefer at present.

In the drawings: 1

Figure 1 illustrates in perspective the machine according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, in which part of the working table is broken away, to permit illustration of certain of the mechanism disposed under the table; Figures 3'and 4 are longitudinal and transverse sections through the machine, takenrespectively online 33 and line 4-1 of Figure 1, certain details of the actuating mechanism for the forming head end sections being omitted forclarity; Figure 5 shows in plan, on enlarged scale, details of the blocked portion 5-5 of Figure 1. I

Figure 6a illustrates, in top plan, details of a shuttle as employed in my machine and discloses a recess for the anti-stick gripping pad of Figure 6e; Figure 6b is a bottom plan thereof; Figures 6c and 6d are side views, respectively showing the shuttle head in closed and open position, and the relation of the shuttle to the closure and opening tracks while in those positions; Figure 6c is a sectional view showing a gripping pad of suitable anti-stick material serving as an insert for oneor both parts of the shuttle head to prevent the adhesive-coated ripping tape from adhering thereto; Figures 6) and 60 show in perspective and in section respectively, the detailed construction of the knife disclosed in Figures 6a and 6b;

' while Figure on is a front elevation, on enlarged scale, showing in detail the manner of cooperation of both the knives and adhesive resistant p ds on the shuttle head. Figures 7 and 8 are 5 bottom plan views of the vacuum head of the machine, respectively showing the head in its open or unfolded position, and in its closed or folded position;

m Figure 9 is a plan view of one of the tracks for thereof, the location of this track relative to the rest of the machine being best depicted in Figure 1; Figure 10 is a detail of the turnstile head as in elevation the association of this stud with a track bracket.

Figure 14 is a section, on enlarged scale, taken on line ll-H, of Figure 5, and illustrating the vacuum or forming head, the associated formin plate, etc.; Figure 15 is a sectional view through the forming plate of Figure 14 showing the location of the linear scoring knives; Figures 16 discloses in plan the top surface of this forming plate; Figures 17a and 17b are end and elevational views, respectively, of the angled scoring knives; while Figures 18a and 18b are similar views of the linear scoring knives;

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken on line iii-l9 of Figure 5, and illustrating certain details of the forming head, the table, and the forming plate constructiom-Figure 20 shows in elevation the rack bracket of the rack and pinion mechanism of Figures 21 through 24; Figures 21 I and 22 are plan views showing the forming head and related parts in open and closed or folded positions, respectively; Figure 23 is a view, corresponding to line 23-23 of Figure 21, showing the relation of the rack and pinion when the forming head is open; Figure 24 is a view, corresponding'to line 24-24 of Figure 22, showing the relation'of the rack and pinion when the form- 45 ing head is closed or folded; Figure 25 is a detail of the cam plate which controls the arms moving the end sections of the forming head.

Details of the shuttle actuating mechanism are shown in Figures 26 through 29. Figure 26 is a 50 side elevation, partly in section, taken on line 26-26 of Figure 27, showing details of the shuttle actuating mechanism; Figure 27 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section, corresponding to line 2'l2'| of Figure 26; Figures 28a and 281; are cross-sectional and perspective views, respectively, of theshuttle-closure track shown in Figures 5 and 26; Figures 2911 and 291) are cross-sectional and plan views, respectively, of the shuttle-opening track shown in Figures 5 and 26. Figures 30 through 33 relate to the vacuum conguiding the shuttles, and illustrating the details trol means for the forming head. Figure is a plan view of an intermittent vacuum valve according to my invention; Figure 3115 a crosssectional view taken on line 3l-3I of Figure 30; Figure 32 is perspective view of the valve cylinder; Figure 33 is a similar perspective view of the valve barrel, with the valve cylinder therein, the cylinder being positioned so as to open the valve to the atmosphere;

Figure 34 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the means for supporting and guiding the forming head support arm as it passes through the table;

Details of the drive roller feed mechanism for advancing th wrapper stock at predetermined and proper intervals in the operating cycle constitute the subject matter of Figures 35 through .schematic disclosures of the manner in. which and mechanism by which the feed mechanism eccentric impels the drive roller towards and away from the idler roller, Figure 39a corresponding to line 39a39a of Figure 36, while Figure 39b corresponds to line {Sb-39b of Figure 37. Figure 40 is a plan and Figure 41 an elevation of the cushioned construction of the eccentric arms reciprocated by theeccentric of Figure 35. Figures 42a and 42b are respectively perspective views of the eccentric core .and the eccentric shell.

Figure 43 is a schematic plan view of the power shaft and propelling mechanism, taken in the same horizontal plane, while Figure 44 is a schematic elevation corresponding to Figur 43.

Figure 45 is a plan showing the cam track controlling the forming arm.

As conducive to a more ready and comprehensive understanding of my invention, it may be noted that in my said companion application, Serial No. 413,988, I have disclosed a new carton closure wherein ripping tape is provided in such manner. that when the latter is employed to rip open the wrapper or jacket, only one small corner of the latter is removed, leaving the greater part of the jacket intact about the carton itself. This constituted a material improvement, functionally, over the closure means theretofore available.

Both with the embodiment according to my copending application, however, as well as with the wrappers employing ripping tapes as theretofore known, considerable diiliculty was encountered from a practical standpoint in placing the ripping tape on the Cellophane or other wrapper material in rapid and accurate manner. It is necessary, in the highly competitive cigarette, as

well as in other package arts, that devices or machines for applying the ripping tape to the wrapper be comparatively inexpensive, simple, accurate, small, long-wearing, and highly efiicient. Any machine or device for this purpose involving any appreciable expense in its use is impractical. in one respect or another, machines heretofore available have fallen somewhat short of fulfilling entirely the needs of the art, so that the workers in packaging fields have been searching indus-. triously for a mor complete solution of their problems.

5 .An object of my invention, therefore, is to avoid in large measure the difficulties and disadvantages heretofore confronting the art, and in so doing, to produce a comparatively simple and inexpensive, highly eflicient machine for positionas a bracket, not shown, is a roll l2 of wrapper stock, such as Cellophane or similar suitable paper-lik wrapper material. Since the motion of the machine is intermittent or step by step, as will be more fully described hereinafter, I find it advisable to brake the roll I! by any conventional means such as follower 13. This follower is biased against the roll l2 by-means such as a weak spring, and serves to prevent over-running or backlash as the roll unwinds. Idler or guide roller l4 cooperates with a corresponding drive roller disposed therebelow, and to be described later herein, as for example, in connection with Figures 35-391), to feed the wrapper stock in proper manner under the forming head of the machine. A similar guide roller l5 serves together with a take-up roller disposed therebeneath, but not shown in Figure l, to take up the wrapper stock at the outlet end of the machine, after the ripping tape has been applied thereon, and feed it to the wrapping machine, or to storing means, as the case may be. It is of course evident that the positions of the rollers l4 and I5 may be reversed with respect to their corresponding drive rollers, and the latter disposed uppermost. However, I find it more convenient at this time to employ the arrangement illustrated.

A roll iii of ripping tape is provided, carried either independently of and above the machine now undergoing description, or carried thereon as by suitable brackets, not shown. The ripl8. This roller l8 cooperates with a second idler roller 34 disposed therebeneath. Thence the ripping tape is passed beneath the forming head indicated broadly at I9, is cut off into predetermined lengths, and is positioned properly on, and applied to the wrapper stock 20. If desired, a friction brake similar to brake l3 for roll I2 may be provided for roll it to prevent backlash or over-running and consequent slack in the ripping tape.

Shuttle mechanism indicated broadly at 2i- -2i serves to carry the ripping tape along its path of intermittent travel. The forming arm 22 serves to carry the forming head I9, and is secured thereto in suitable manner, such as by threading, lag bolts, bayonet slots r the like, so that the heads i9 are replaceable as desired,

This ripping tape l1 carries any desired form of adhesive on that side which will be disposed adjacent the wrapper stock. The adhesive may vbe applied either before roll I6 is wound or it may b applied in any suitable and conventional manner not shown during the passage of the tape H from roll IE to its point of application to the wrapper stock 20.

ping tape I1. is fed from roll I6 under idler roller with the description of Figures 5, '1, 8, 14 and 10-22 inclusive, while the details of the shuttle mechanism will be similarly treated in connection with Figures 5 and 6a-6h inclusive.

While detailed description of the operation of the mechanism will be reserved until later in this specification, I may say at this point that the wrapper stock 23 is fed by suitable mechanism, later to be described. in connection with Figures 35-13%, in step by step fashion underneath the forming head. The pauses or stops between each step of the movement is timed to permit application of sections of ripping tape thereto by the forming head l3. Simultaneously, and by the use of shuttle mechanism 2i-2l, the ripping tape I1 is likewise fed in step-wise fashion under the forminghead, overlying and spaced vertically above the wrapper stock 20 as shown for example in Figure 14.

passing the forming head, reaches the end of its 3 I return stroke at the same time as the first-mentioned shuttle terminates its forward or moving stroke. The return shuttle grips the ripping tape, and in so doing, severs the tape in the leading edge-that nearest the forming head. This action serves to cut off the unit section ll of the ripping tape which is then under the forming head. The forming head 13, provided with foldable end sections, picks up by vacuum pull the ripping tape section thus provided, still'held at its forward extremity by the working shuttle.

The shuttles alternate, one returning to begin its operation anew while the other shuttle is simultaneously gripping the ripping tape 11 and pulling unit lengths thereof through the area defined by and underneath the forming head it. The return shuttle, at theend of its return stroke, grips a fresh length of ripping tape, and in so doing, cuts off the trailing edge of the preceding section, which has been positioned under the forming head.

The forming head I9 is timed in its vertical travel with forming arm 22 so that it performs described later-as soon as the forming head approaches it. Since the end sections of the forming head are subjected to folding stresses through angles of 90 while the head It is being lowered, this head folds the ripping tape in accurately predetermined manner, as for example, the generally U-shaped configuration 2-3, and then during the later part of its travel positions the folded tape section on the wrapper stock. It is to be noted that the folding operation to which the tape sections are subjected begins at the initiation of the downward travel of the forming head, and is completed when thishead reaches the bottom of its travel (see Figures 21 through inclusive). At the conclusion of the rest or stop period the forming head I! is raised and the forward motion of the wrapper stock and ripping tape is resumed.

Due to the automatic folding of the end sections of this head, the ripping tape section is'folded into the U-shape 23. Continued downward movement of the forming head 13 then results in theapplic'ation of the accurately folded tape section 22 onto the desired spot on the wrapper stock,.which at that time is momentarily in its stop or rest position.

General association of drioe mechanism The relation of certain elements of the drive mechanism with the parts just described is perhaps best shown .in Figure 2. Discussion of the details of the drive mechanism will be reserved,

however, for a later point in this specification.

A driven jack shaft 24 runs crosswise the under side of table ill, and preferably is strapped thereto by suitable support brackets, not shown. Plate cams or eccentrics 25-25 serve, by means of cooperating followers 26, to actuate forked shuttle stem guides 21. .Because forming head [3 is required to make two working strokes for each cycle of operations, while the shuttle mechanism each carry out only a single operation during such cycle, I find it necessary to design cam plates 2525 so that they travel at half' the angular speed of forming head drive means, later to be described. Each guide 21 has a U-shaped head having arms 23--23 loosely carrying for reciprocation across the span thereof, the shuttle stem 29. These arms 2823 protrude upwardly through. table Ill,- through slots 30-40 provided longitudinally of the center thereof. An arm 21a (Figure 2) projects laterally from the head of the guide 21, and passing through eccentric shaft hanger 3i, constrains the guide 21, under the energization of its correspondingv eccentric 25 transmitted through follower 26, to reciprocation General association of the shuttle mechanism in the same horizontal plane.- At the same time as the shuttles are moved longitudinally of the table l0 along slots 3030, they are rocked in arcuate paths laterally of the table by the shuttle mechanism indicated broadly at 2l-2i in Figures 1 and 2.

As becomes more evident upon considering Figure 3, drive roller 32 is placed on the under side of table 10 and cooperates with idler guide roller H to drive or feed the wrapper stock 20. Similarly, take-up drive roller 33 is disposed beneath take-up idler roller ii to serve as positive means for drawing the wrapper stock through the machine. Rollers 32 and 33 make one complete revolution for each operating cycle of the machine. Accordingly, the circumference of these rollers is designed to equal the lengths 20 into which the wrapper stock is to be cut. Finally, a

second roller 34 cooperates with idler roller l8 to 1 guide ripping tape ii on its passage to the form- In the meantime, the other shuttle, constrained on its return journey to an arcuate path bying head l9.

This forming head is illustrated as comprising central vacuum section 35, and flanking vacuum end sections 33-36, the central and end sections being interconnected by suitable vacuum conduits such as flexible rubber tubing 31-31.

Referring now more particularly to the showing of Figure 4, it will be noted that shaft 24 is provided with'a gear or similar device represented schematically at 38a for taking 011 power from shaft 93. The relation of these parts to each other is best understood from Figures 43 and 44. A power take oil means 39 is provided on shaft 93, in the form of a gear, pulley, cone or the like, for taking off 'power from a suitable source such as shown in Figures 43 and 44. The shaft 93 termi- -nates at one end in a plate cam 40, which by means of a stud or follower 4|, fast to arm 22 and which travels in a path in the face of the cam, actuates the forming arm 22. Cam track 4011 (Figure 45) on cam plate 40 has diametrically opposed convex bumps 40b therein for ensuring the quick lowering and rising of forming head IS. The general construction of this camming means will be discussed at a later point herein. Forming arm 22, by means of a guide collar '43 held by brackets 44-44 fast on table I0, is thereby re-' strained to a straight line vertical reciprocation.

Reference to Figure 34 will show that I prefer to provide collars 43 and brackets 44-44 on both the top and underside of table 10. A rubber tube 42 or other suitable conduit serves to apply a vacuum to the hollow forming arm 22.

Details of shuttle mechanism The location of the plate cams 4545 of the shuttle mechanisms 2l-2l raised from the surface of table l) is evident from Figure 4, thereby allowing room for the shuttle stems 29-29 to clear the forming head IS on their arcuate return strokes. A cam track 46 is provided in each cam plate 4545 to guide follower studs 41--41 on the shuttle stems 23-29. Formin plate 48, the details of which are shown in Figures 14, and 19, is resiliently supported in a 49 in table III as by springs 50-50, and serves to cooperate with to briefly at this point, to disclose their relation to the rest of the mechanism.

Certain features of the shuttle, as well as some of the constructional details of the forming head. can best be ascertained from Figure 5. The relation of the shuttle plate cams 45 to the forming head I9 is clearly evident therein.

It has been suggested hereinbefore that each The manner in which this is accomplished can readily be grasped upon consideration of Figure 5. It will be seen by reference to the rear late cam 45 (uppermost in Figure 5) that the cam track 46 consists of a front, straight portion 46a and a rear,

curved or arcuate portion 46b. It will be recalled (Figure 2) that the shuttle stems 29. are saddled forming head If! in a manner which will be described with reference to the figures just referred to.

Since the presence of cam follower 41 requires that track 46 extend completely through cam plate in the form of a slot, it is necessary to form this latter of two sections 45a, 45b (Figures 9, 12, and 13), and to support one section from suitable means such as table III, while the latter in turn directly carries the other section.

As may be seen from Figures 9 and 13, the outer cam plate section 45a carries the inner cam plate section by a series of overlying arched brackets 84 extending about the periphery of the cam track 46. These brackets 84 have arches 84a which provide clearance for the free passage therebeneath of cam follower 41.

Studs 85 (Figures 12 and 13) serve to support cam plate section 45a and space it from table surface ID. Suitable means such as bolts, screws or the like 86a and 86b (Figure 12) serve to secure together sections 45a, studs 85 and table In. These studs are disposed at such points about the extent of cam plate sections 45a that suitable clearance is provided at all points for shuttle stems 29 in their complete passage under guidin jaws 28 of guides 21, which guides, by plate cams 25, are reciprocated the lengths of slots 30. During the right-to-left working stroke of the shuttle head 56 the follower stud 41 on stem 29 follows the linear cam track portion46a, to its end, and it is this action which causes shuttle head 56, gripping tape l1, to carry the same under the forming head, into the zone of operation of the latter.

After the momentary rest position at the end of the working stroke, while the follower 41-is passing turnstile 51 from linear cam portion 46a to arcuate cam portion 46b this follower 41 follows this arcuate left-to-right return cam track portion 46b, around the forming head 19, back to its starting position. At the head or beginning edge of this return track portion 4617, at the left in Figure 5, the slope of the curvature of the track is abrupt, so that the shuttle head 56 is pulled out of the range of the forming head l9 before this shuttle head 56 has moved very far along its return stroke. To ensure that the shuttle clears the forming head properly, it is necessary that the minimum clearance between the working cam track portion 460. and the return portion 46b be at least slightly greater than the width of the forming head sections 35 and 36-36.

Turnstiles 51 provide one-way ratcheting mechanism at the junction of the two cam track portions 46a and 46b. These turnstiles ensure that the followers 41 proceed properly along their paths at the ends of their journey in a given direction, and do not seek to retrace their passage over the paths they have just traversed. These turnstiles are better shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11. In Figure 10 the turnstile head 51a is seen to be of roughly clover-leaf configuration. It is mounted on spindle 51b, and by pawl 51c fast to the under side thereof cooperates with ratchet 51d fitted loosely about spindle 51b and made fast to the underside of cam plate 45. The ratchet and pawl mechanism permits the turnstile to rotate in but one direction, so that once the follower stud 41 passes into the turnstile, it is effectively restrained against reversal ofdirection. Since the purpose of these turnstiles is, as said, to constrain the shuttles to a single path in their travel guided by the cam plates 4545, and since these cam plates are provided on opposite sides of the forming head I9, the turnstiles of the two shuttle mechanisms 2l2i are cammed in foremost shuttle mechanism as illustrated in Figure 5.

The shuttles Each shuttle head, shown more completely in Figures 6a through 6h, comprises a bottom head portion 56a integral with the shuttle stem 29, and a top shuttle head portion 56b hinged to the bottom portion Bid at I58. It is essential that it be the top portion which is swingable because the bottom portion 56a closely overlies the table top l0, and is retrained thereby from swinging movement.

As the shuttle stems 29 sweep forwardly at the right end (Figure '5) of their return strokes, a

cooperating follower 59 (Figures 6c, 6d), fast to extent, and as is shown in Figures 28a and 28b,

have abrupt vertical walls 626. The walls 62a serve as stops up which the rollers 6| cannot climb, so that the action of these walls is to cam shut the top head shuttle portion 56b on the corresponding bottom portion 56a.

Since the shuttle head 66 has reached the end of its return stroke with open jaws in a manner to be discussed hereinafter, and is then thrust' forwardly, it encloses the ripping tape ll in that forward motion, and is then clamped thereon, tightly gripping-the same, when the roller 6| contacts wall 62a. I prefer to construct hinge 58 so that there is some slight resistance to opening or closing, whereby the top and bottom portions 56a and 56b of the shuttle head retain the open or closed position imparted thereto momentarily after'roller 6| leaves the track actuating it.

Considering now Figures 29a and 29b along with Figure 5, return, opening tracks 63-43 are provided for the shuttles, parallel with, but spaced from, the forward closure tracks 6262throughout the greater part of their length by the distances corresponding to the maximum amplitude between portions 46a and 46b of cam track 46. The forward closure tracks 62 are in each instance close to forming head 19, so that each shuttle head 56 underlies this latter during its forward movement. At the leading ends of these return tracks 63, near the outlet end of the machine, these tracks curve sharply forwardly towards but just short of the corresponding forward track 62, as is best shown in Figures 5 and 29b. The curyature of the tracks 83 at these points is quite abrupt. Thus, as has already been pointed out, as the shuttles 2l-2l are swung rearwardly by the studs 41 in cam tracks 46, the rollers 6| on followers 59 are brought out of contact with vertical walls 62a of tracks 62, by which top and bottom shuttle head portions 56b and 56a are retained closed, and into contact with sloping wall 63a, of track 63 (Figures 5, 6d, 29a and 29b). The roller 6| is thereby carried up upon face 630, due to the backward movement of the shuttle guided by cam track 46. This action forces follower 59 up through slot 60 (Figures 617 through 6d), and separates portions 56a and 5611. .Further backward movement of the shuttle head 58 moves itout of range of the severed por-' tion I! of ripping tape, whereupon the forming head IS, with its end sections 36 Just beginning their foldingaction, and with vacuum applied, functions to control the subsequent manipulation of this ripping, tape.

Brackets 84 (Figures 5 and 19), fast on table l0, serve to carry tracks 62 and 63 of the shuttle mechanism disposed in the rear of the forming head l9. This is because it is necessary to provide clearance under these tracks for the passage of the wrapperstock 20. Since this provision is unnecessary with respect to the tracks for guiding the foremost shuttle mechanism, these tracks are secured directly to table It! (Figure 19) In the actual production of my machine, I prefer to form the return portion 46b of cam tracks 48 of substantially I the same degree of curvature as the return, opening tracks '63. This construction efl'ectively avoids all tendency of the moving parts to bind, and ensures that the shuttle heads 56 open quickly, and that they are brought quickly out of the path of the forming head I9.

Referring again, rather briefly, to the shuttle construction details of Figures 6a through 6h, it

. subject it to the folding will be recalled that at the beginning of each working or. forward stroke of the shuttles, the shuttle heads close on the leading end of a section of ripping tape H. The tapeis grippedby a comparatively broad bearing section of the head 56. It is evident however, that since the ripping tape carries either dry or wet adhesive, this adhesive would soon gum this hearing area and would give rise to faulty operation in releasin the shuttle heads from the tape at the "conclusion of the operation of the former, unless the latter is especially designed to be adhesive-resistant. To prevent this undesired action, I provide adhesive-resistant inserts 65, preferably in both top and bottom portions of the shuttle heads. These inserts I form of talc, soapstone, or some other material which displays little tendency to become gummy.

Knives 66 are disposed vertically and in cooperating fashion on the leading edge of both the upper and lower shuttle head portions, and serve, uponclosure of the shuttle, to sever the trailing edge of the immediately preceding ripping tape section I! from the stock I6. The man- 1 Details of under side of forming I In Figures 7 and 8 certain importantfdetafls of the under side of the forming head are trated. It is these under surfaces whichserve I pick up and fold the ripping tape sectionsl I into" proper U-shape. Each end section 36 is hinged to central vacuum section 35 by hinges 68. Vac-j uum ports 61 are disposed centrally of the working surfaces of the end and central vacuum sections, and serve topick up the ripping tape and theforming head.

and applying motions of 

